he Moose Run is a legendary event that almost defies racers to endure the natural obstacles and rugged terrain around the Bike Barn in Fenton, Illinois. Promoter Bill Gusse and his son Monte laid out another trail that measured up to the reputation. Only seven percent of the entrants finished two laps of the thirty plus mile loop. The fastest pro rider to complete lap one was Moose Racing/FMF Suzuki racer Jimmy Jarrett at three hours. Jarrett finished lap two at four hours and fifty-two minutes. Clayton Anderson rolled in after eight hours and twenty-five minutes for lap one to capture second place in Open C. Legendary racer and multiple time Moose Run winner Jeff Fredette told Bill’s daughter Darcy it was “difficult.” The Moose Racing icon placed second in the 40-49A class.
     Before the race, fans had an opportunity to meet the Pro riders under the Parts Unlimited/Moose Racing support awning. The semi trailer unit provided a large shaded area for the autograph session as well as a comfortable spot to gather and share race stories. All of the Pro racers took time out to sign autographs for the hundreds of people in attendance. Many young racers received an autograph on their race awards from earlier in the day. A pre-race interview with each racer allowed everyone to gain some knowledge about the racers and their sponsors.
     Jimmy Jarrett (FMF Suzuki/Moose Racing/Dunlop) led from the shotgun blast start into a section of the motocross track. Local racer Adam Bonneur (Yamaha/Moose Racing/Maxxis) passed Jarrett and kept the point until a hidden culvert sent the Fenton teenager over the bars. Brian Garrahan (Yamaha/Moose Racing/Maxxis) stepped up to lead and collected $200 for leading at checkpoint one and two of the first lap. Nick Fahringer (Gas Gas/Moose Racing/Michelin) led at checkpoint three, while Jarrett picked up the $100 bonus at checkpoint four.      Jason Thomas (Yamaha/Moose Racing/Maxxis) pulled ahead of Jarrett to lead checkpoint one of the second lap and collect his $100 bonus. Jarrett would take over from Thomas after a mud bog swallowed the British racer’s bike, and he led the next three checkpoints to the finish. The three-time Parts Unlimited OMA Nationals champion added a third consecutive Moose Run victory to his impressive list of accomplishments.
     Numerous spectator areas around the loop afforded great views of the competition. A map of vantage points that was easy to navigate led many spectators along the local roads to some very interesting spots. They were able to keep up with the pack as the riders made their way through the woods, creeks, fields and ditches. It was like a caravan heading from one spot to the next following the lead pack of Garrahan, Jarrett, Thomas, Fahringer and Bonneur. Some continued on the caravan circuit, while others simply waited for their own racer to get past a chosen viewing location.
     The Parts Unlimited OMA Nationals series has completed four rounds of the ten race season for 2007. All of the racers are trying to capture the season championship and the $10,000 Parts Unlimited check that goes along with it. Each event also carries a $1,000 payout for the winner. Jimmy Jarrett has extended his points lead to 38 over Jason Thomas, with Brian Garrahan just 16 points back. Jarrett has collected the bankroll three years in a row. Only time will tell if he can keep ahead of the pack for year number four.
     For more information and a schedule of events go to www.omanationals.com.

Jarrett took home the win at the grueling Fenton, Illinois Moose Run.